Curling-iron



S. REID. OURLING IRON,

Patented May 13, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL REID, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CURLING-IRON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,907, dated May 13,1890.

" Application filed May 13, 1889- Serial No. 310,583. (No model.)

.To aZZ whom/ it may concern.-

Be it known. that I, SAMUEL REID, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Curling-Irons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in curling-irons used for frizzing and curling the hair, in which heretofore aspring-han dle with a hollow case or shell attached thereto has been provided with a longitudinally-sliding heating-core intended to be projected from the sheath during the heating operation, and, when heated, to be slidden back into or sheathed therein, and the hair wound upon the sheath, instead of upon the heated core, as obtained in the old form of curling-irons.

The principal objection to such a device is the danger of burning the user by the accidental projection of the heated core while curling the hair, for in this prior form of curling-iron the core is perfectly free to slide either into or out of the sheath, according to the direction in which the iron is tipped or inclined. In this form of iron, also, a terminal of the spring-handle is utilized as the clamp for holding the hair upon the sheath while being curled, thereby necessitating the instrument being made of such length as to be objectionable for the purposes of portability in a pocket, satchel, or other place.

The prime object of this invention is to have the sheath for the heating-core ad justable in such manner that whether exposing or sheathing the core it will be firmly held in its adjusted position, and thereby avoid the possibility of the accidental unsheathing of the heated core and the burning of the user during the curling operation.

Another object of this invention is to have the clamp for securing the hair upon the sheath attached to and movable therewith, whereby when the core is exposed for heating the clamp will be removed from direct contact with the fire.

A still further object is to have the iron of such a character that it may be folded into half of the compass ordinarily required for such devices, whereby the portability of the device is greatly enhanced and the device adapted to be conveniently carried either in the pocket, a satchel, or similar receptacle. These objects are attained by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in WhICI1 Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a curling-iron embodying my invention, showing the same folded as when not in use; Fig. 2, a similar view of the same extended and ready for use; Fig. 3, a similar view showing the sheath withdrawn and the heating-core exposed for heating, and Fig. 4 a central longitudinal section through the iron with the parts in position shown in Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figuresof the drawings.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A indicates a handle, preferably composed of heavy spring-wire bent into elliptical or other suitable form, one terminal of which is formed into a pivot B, constituting a support for a solid iron core C of substantially the same length as the handle and arranged to swing upon the pivot, so as to project beyond the handle or lie between the arms thereof. Sleeved upon this core is a hollow cylindrical casing or sheath D, of thin metal, provided with a longitudinal slot E in the under side thereof, through which passes the flattened pivoting end B of the handle, by means of which the sheath is guided in its longitudinal movement upon the core,and

at the same time is prevented from turning thereon, the slot being slightly enlarged toward the rear end around the flattened end of the handle, so as to permit the turning of the sheath and core upon the pivot when the parts are in their normal position, (shown in Figs, 1, 2, and 4;) but at all other times the narrow slot, fitting snugly over the said flattened end, will effectually prevent such action. To this sheath, near the inner end thereof, as shown at F, is pivotallysecured a tongue or clamp Gr, preferably composed of spring metal, or having a spring portion II formed therewith or otherwise secured thereto, projecting to the rear of the pivot thereof, and engaging the sheath in such manner as to cause the tongue to normally bear upon or clamp against the sheath.

Immediately above the spring portion of the clamp, or at a suitable point to the rear of the pivot thereof, the opposite free end I of the handle A terminates and normally engages this spring portion, so that when the handle is compressed or the free end thereof sprung it causes the clamp to swing upon its pivot clear of the sheath to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, thus permitting the wrapping of the hair upon the sheath between it and the clamp, which latter is afterward permitted to fall by releasing the handle suffleiently, and thereby clamping the ends of the hair.

The free end I of the handle is so arranged as to bear at all times with sufficient friction upon the clam p to prevent the too free sliding of the sheath upon the core, whether the sheath is folded for carrying, as shown in Fig. 1, or extended ready for use, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the clamp being slightly indented at the point of engagement with the free end of the handle, in order to afford a better hold therefor; and, if desired, the straight or the elliptical portion of the handle may be provided with rubber, leather, wooden, or other suitable non-conductin g coverings J for c011- venience in handling and to avoid burning the hands.

It will be of course understood that the spring portion II of the clamp G is sufficiently stiff to overcome the spring of the handle when the parts are swung to the position shown in Fig. 2 with the free end I slightly elevated out of its normal position, in order that the clamp may not be lifted from contact with the sheath without the pressure of the hand upon the end, for the bending of the spring end I of the handle and the resistance thereof are so slight that it may be readily overcome; but when the iron is folded or the sheath slid back to the position shown in Fig. 3 the spring of the end I will be sufficient to cause it to bear upon the main body of the clamp with suiiieient friction to hold the sheath in any desired position.

A curling-iroi'i constructed in accordance with my invention embodies numerous advantages not possessed by any of the prior curling-irons, among which is the adj ustability of the sheath relative to the core and the securing of the same in either of its adjusted positions against accidental turning or moving upon the core, whereby is avoided the possibility of burning the user by the accidental unsheathing of the heating-core, and this result is greatly promoted by having the heating-core pivotally secured to the handle in such manner that it has no longitudinal movement with relation thereto, excepting such as is provided by the pivot, which is guarded against, and will be effectually prevented by the handle. y

A still further and more important advantage of such a curling-iron is the portability IIaving described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a curling-iron, the combination, with the handle, of a heating-core pivotally seen red thereto and a sheath sleeved upon said core, substantially as described.

2. In a eurling-iron, the combination, with a handle and a heating-core secured to and projecting from said handle, of a sheath sleeved upon said core and a clamp pivoted thereon and movable therewith, said sheath being movable inwardly toward the handle, so as to unsheath or expose the core, and outwardly to the end of said core, so as to sheath or cover the same, substantially as described.

3. In a curlingiron, the combinatiom with the handle, of a hcatingeore pivotally secured thereto, a sheath sleeved upon said core, and a clamp pivoted upon and movable with said sheath, substantially as described.

4. In a curling-iron, the combination, with the handle composed of bent spring metal and a heating-core pivotally secured at one end to one terminal of said handle, of a sheath sleeved upon said core and a spring-aetuated clamp pivoted to said sheath, adapted and arranged to be engaged and actuated by the other terminal of said handle, substantially as described.

5. In a curling-iron, the combination, with a heating-core, a sheath sleeved thereon provided with a longitudinal slot enlarged near the rear end thereof, and a spring-actuated clamp pivoted to said sheath, the rear end of which terminates in a spring bearing upon the sheath, of a handle composed of bent spring metal, one terminal ol. which works through the slot in the sheath and constitutes a pivotal support for the core at one end, while the other end terminates above the sheath to the rear of the pivot of the core, so as to bear upon said clamp at either side of the pivot thereof, substantially as and for the purpose described.

SAMUEL REID. Witnesses:

W. It. OMOHUNDRO, A. M. BENNETT. 

